In 1986, Leticia Morales-Bissaro won eight games in three days to lead the St. Mary’s softball team to the NAIA national title. Morales-Bissaro is an associate director of undergraduate admission at St. Mary’s. William Luther/Express-News

In 1986, Leticia Morales-Bissaro won eight games in three days to lead the St. Mary’s softball team to the NAIA national title. Morales-Bissaro is an associate director of undergraduate admission at St.

Leticia Morales-Bissaro, a dominating pitcher in softball, led St. Mary’s to the 1986 NAIA championship as a senior. She set five national tournament records, including most complete games (eight), most wins (seven) and most strikeouts (65). Morales-Bissaro works as associate director of undergraduate admission at St. Mary’s.

Leticia Morales-Bissaro, a dominating pitcher in softball, led St. Mary’s to the 1986 NAIA championship as a senior. She set five national tournament records, including most complete games (eight), most wins

SPORTS -- FOR JENNIFER BELLIS -- LETICIA MORALES-BISSARO -- Leticia Morales-Bissaro led the St. Mary's Rattlers to the NAIA softball championship in 1986. For series of "Timeless Treasures" in San Antonio sports history. Friday June 8, 2001 in San Antonio, Tx. Photo by Robert McLeroy

SPORTS -- FOR JENNIFER BELLIS -- LETICIA MORALES-BISSARO -- Leticia Morales-Bissaro led the St. Mary's Rattlers to the NAIA softball championship in 1986. For series of "Timeless Treasures" in San Antonio

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Online: sasports.org

LETICIA MORALES-BISSARO

Age: 47, born in San Antonio

Fast facts: Lived in California for a few years before returning to San Antonio, where, at age 11, she joined an under-18 team in the city league. ... Graduated from St. Gerard High School in 1982 and from St. Mary's University in 1986. ... Four-year MVP at St. Mary's compiled a career record of 64-40 with a 0.70 ERA and struck out 677 in 690 1/3 innings. ... Works in undergraduate admissions office at St. Mary's.

PROFILE SCHEDULE

Jan. 8: Russell

Jan. 15: Bonewitz

Today: Morales-Bissaro

Jan. 29: Bowen

Feb. 5: Hill

“What Letty and those girls accomplished was pretty special,” said St. Mary's men's basketball coach Jim Zeleznak, who coached the softball team to the title. “Being the school's first national champions and all that, that was just a great group of girls.”

Hudson said her favorite tournament memory stemmed from opening day, when Morales-Bissaro won both games and struck out 28 in 14 innings.

“At least the first 10 batters struck out — all on Letty's rise ball,” Hudson said.

Day 2 was a bit chaotic for the team's star pitcher.

First, St. Mary's lost to Oklahoma City University 1-0. Next, on her way home between games to retrieve a uniform, her father's car had a flat tire on Interstate 37.

Fortunately for the Rattlers, her uncle came to the rescue, getting her back to the field in plenty of time to nail down two more victories, keeping the title hopes alive.

“My uncle didn't know anything about the tournament,” she said. “So it was the best 15-20 minutes (riding in the car). I didn't even have to talk about it.”

Tension mounted on Day 3 as St. Mary's beat IUPUI in the opener. The Lady Rattlers followed by whipping previously unbeaten Oklahoma City in the championship round to set up a winner-take-all game for the title.

Exhausted, Morales-Bissaro somehow caught a second wind and pitched the Rattlers to an early 1-0 lead. Then the rain arrived, a storm that forced a 90-minute delay.

During that time, the art of meditation came in handy for the former standout at St. Gerard High School.

Staying dry by standing around at the restroom facilities and later sitting in a maintenance equipment room, she focused.

“She didn't want to talk to anyone,” said her sister, Laura M. Rodriguez, who was stationed just outside.

The ploy worked for Morales — but not without some dramatics. In extra innings in the ninth, Kalinec scored from third on a wild pitch as the Lady Rattlers won 2-1 for the championship.

Looking back, Morales-Bissaro said she focused for those five elimination games by willing herself into “another world.”

She said she never felt nervous and recalled being oblivious to most casual conversations.

For instance, Morales-Bissaro said she recently met a fan who said he chatted with her on that stormy day at the restroom.